Homeowner association purchases Kiln Creek Golf Course

December 26, 2013|By Ali Rockett, alrockett@dailypress.com

NEWPORT NEWS — The Villages of Kiln Creek Owners Association has purchased the golf course and country club located within its neighborhood for $3.5 million in an effort to prevent it from being redeveloped.

The association's board of directors completed the transaction Monday, according to a statement. It includes the purchase of 290 acres of protected green space and Kiln Creek Golf Course & Resort with an 18-hole golf course, a closed nine-hole golf course, a clubhouse, a 15-room hotel, two restaurants, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center and office space. According to the association's website, the property has been assessed at $6.3 million.

The neighborhood and course are located at the intersection of Newport News and York County.

Dick Ashe, former owner of the club, had planned to appear before the York County Planning Commission earlier this month to have the property rezoned for residential development. According to the commission's agenda, he was requesting that no more than 355 multifamily units be built on the site of the former nine-hole course totaling 58 acres.

The association opposed the redevelopment saying it would lower home values by 20 percent, according to information posted on its website.

"Preserving 290 acres of land as natural area and protecting against residential or commercial development is an extremely significant achievement for our community," Dave Radcliffe, board president, said in the statement. "We now have the opportunity to control our own destiny and protect home values for our residents."

The board held several informational meetings earlier this month for homeowners. It sent every homeowner a fact sheet about the deal, and homeowners could submit comments and questions on the association's website.

"Kiln Creek was built around a lifestyle — a lifestyle that has become fractured and faded since the club's initial opening in the early 1990's," Radcliffe said. "By acquiring the club and its property, the association will control its future use and prevent future development of the golf courses. Residents will have access to a new central amenity for all homeowners, not just golfers. In this process, it was startling to see the vast number of residents who had no idea the club offered a hotel and event venue that is open to the public. There is a real opportunity for growth on many levels that fits well with our objectives as a community."

The board has asked Affinity Management, a professional golf club management firm from Charlottesville, to operate the club, which must improve to become self-sufficient, the association said.

Existing members will be welcomed back without an initiation fee, the statement said, and golfers will be welcome for a daily fee or as members going forward.